Ugandan President the only Head of State who attended South Sudan fourth independence anniversary on Thursday warned his ally against embracing tribalism or sectarianism in politics, describing them ‘wrong’, ‘false’, ‘pseudo’ or bogus ideology in nationhood.
Yoweri Kuga Museveni tells Juba independence anniversary rally while addressing President Salva Kiir Mayardit that preaching tribalism is self-enmity and enmity against ones own tribe beside others.
He adds that the same ‘pseudo’ ideology of Arab domination versus African oppression and marginalization by Khartoum, Sudan ensued into decades of South Sudanese struggle for independence from slavery.
President Kiir admits that mid December 2013 violence and subsequent rebellion was self-creation due to misunderstanding, tribalism, hatred, corruption and aggressiveness, describing it as self-created ‘valley’ they found themselves in.
He regrets untold suffering of people who voted for him in 2010 general elections, destruction of infrastructure and worsening economic situation, pleading that he will never rest until peace is achieved in South Sudan.
Observers say President Kiir’s speech in the fourth independence anniversary sounds more reconciliatory than ever although with some elements of contradictions on coup narrative insistence and lack of comprehension on how peace and economic vibrancy will be achieved.